Rufous turtle Dove and other Garden birds

Rufous turtle Dove, The Leys, Chipping Norton, Oxon.

Rufous turtle Dove

Rufous turtle Dove

Rufous turtle Dove

Rufous turtle Dove

Brambling, The Leys, Chipping Norton

Sparrowhawk, Shipston on Stour, Warks

Sparrowhawk

Yellowhammer

Rufous Turtle Dove, Chipping Norton, Oxon.

Tuesday 22nd February 2011

After all the reported nonsense at the weekend it was good to see the return of good manners and dignity to birding today. Ok I know most birders have to work for a living and time is precious at the weekend and viewing was often tricky but everyone suffers when the mob instinct takes over. I was lucky today, very lucky, as the bird showed well for a considerable time in the garden and the atmosphere was excellent as everyone made sure everyone else got a good view. A guy even lent me his bins as mine were so steamed up. As well as the Rufous turtle Dove there were other more familiar species such as Siskin, Bullfinch, Brambling and Blackcap, some garden!

On the way back I popped in to see an old friend at Shipston on Stour. Garden birding was far from finished as a flock of 20 or so Yellowhammer came down to feed on his lawn.Some garden!